Ten Best: Tony’s Favorites from Holiday Tournaments
This past week was a lot of game coverage for the Prep Hoops Indiana team and now that we have some time, we are looking back at what we saw. Each of our guys are putting together their list of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis past week was a lot of game coverage for the Prep Hoops Indiana team and now that we have some time, we are looking back at what we saw. Each of our guys are putting together their list of the Top 10 guys they saw last week. This list isn’t the Best 10 players we saw but rather our Favorite 10 players from the week. Here are my favorites:
- Norell Smith – 6’5” (SG/SF) – Lake Central (2017)
Norell Smith is one of those guys who still loves the game when he plays. No matter if the game is going in his favor or not, he is out there having fun and leading his team. He is constantly talking and encouraging all of his teammates either from the floor or the bench. Smith showed off all of his game last week, knocking down three’s, hitting the mid-range jumpers, finishing with floaters, and finishing above the rim with the dunk. Smith has a good frame and has been working on his game in the off-season. That work paid off and showed last week as he lead Lake Central to some good wins. His attitude never changes as the game wears on and he is always giving his best effort. When he improves his footwork, he will be a great player at the next level.
- Jeremy Davison – 6’0” (PG/SG) – Leo (2018)
Jeremy Davison is one of the more overlooked guards in the 2018 Class. Davison is extremely shifty and creative off the bounce with the ball in his hand and has been working on finishing going to the basket with floaters and at the rim. He is still a little undersized for the next level but he craftiness makes him a threat whenever he touches the ball. Davison is also one of the best shooters in the class both off the dribble and on the catch and shoot opportunities. Jeremy is asked to do a lot for Leo this season and it is fun to watch him put on a show each and every game. Jeremy is also a smart basketball player. He is one of the best at understanding scouting reports and jumping plays on the defensive end for steals or putting himself in a position so that the offense is out of sorts.
- Jaylen Butz – 6’11” (PF) – North Side (2017)
It’s hard not to like Jaylen Butz. Butz has been scrutinized more than any player in the Fort Wayne area for not wanting to play at the next level bad enough. I have seen Jaylen continually work on his game and make major improvements over the past four years. I thoroughly enjoy watching him lace it up and go play. He is another guy that still enjoys that game even in the most stressful situations. He carries himself with a positive demeanor on the floor and it wears off on his teammates. Butz is great on the glass with his size and has gotten a lot better at finishing around the basket above the rim and with the soft touch. His work ethic and patience have paid off as he is set to attend Depaul University to continue his basketball career. Hats off to Jaylen Butz and the work he put in.
- Richard Robertson – 6’0” (PG) – Northrop (2017)
Richard Robertson is another one of those guys who has flown under-the-radar up until this season. Robertson has come out with a vengeance at the start of this season and has been making some noise in the Fort Wayne high school basketball scene. Robertson put up 35 points against South Side last week on 18 shot attempts including 19 free throws. He followed that performance up with 21 points against SAC Champions North Side. What puts Robertson on my list is his ability to get to the basket and finish, knock-down open jumpers, and lead his team. Robertson is one of the best leaders that I have seen so far this season. His work off the court is showing now and people are starting to take notice. Robertson is one of the most team oriented stars that I’ve seen so far this season and he takes it personally when his team loses whether he plays or well or not. His drive and passion for the game push his teammates to be their best on and off the court.
- James Gardner – 6’1” (PG/SG) – New Haven (2018)
James Gardner has been one of my favorite guys to watch since his freshman year starting varsity. One reason I really like him is because he’s overlooked. He has a consistent jump shot but he is out there as one of the most true point guards in the state trying to find the open man. James is also one of the best rebounding guards I have seen on both ends of the floor. His energy and effort are never questioned and his defensive tendencies are stellar. He will lead his team in rebounds and assists and be at the top for steals. He understands the game and is able to predict plays by the offense and where he needs to be. James has been working hard on his athleticism and footwork and it has shown so far this season. He is one of the fastest players with the ball in his hands and beats the defense down the floor for easy layups and has the athleticism to finish above the rim.
- Lucas Kroft – 6’4” (SG/SF) – Blackhawk Christian (2019)
Lucas Kroft has really shown improvement over the past year. The combo guard continues to grow and he has some of the biggest hands ever for a sophomore guard. Lucas has also been working on his athleticism in the off-season and it showed. Lucas finished on the break with a two-handed power dunk against HSE last week. His jump shot has a soft touch and he can get hot from deep in a hurry. Kroft has a good handle on the ball in the open floor and is a great passer. Lucas is one of the hardest working kids around the game today. He’s put up a pair for 30+ point games this seasons with double digit rebounds and yet after the game he is in the gym working on his game. His devotion and passion may be unmatched at the Class A level. He is doing everything in his power to lead his team to the state title this season. Another thing about Lucas is that he is extremely coachable. Be on the lookout for Lucas Kroft to take this Blackhawk team to state and start making some noise on the recruiting scene here soon.
- Ray Walker Jr. – 5’11” (PG/SG) – Bishop Luers (2017)
Ray Walker Jr. made my list for his defensive prowess and effort. When things weren’t going well for the Knights against Carroll, Walker Jr. took the game over with his defense. That’s hard to do. He had a game high 7 steals in that match-up in which he lead his team to victory. He outworks everyone on the floor on a nightly basis and his quickness and good hands make him an exceptional defender. His footwork is great on the defensive end and he pesters opposing guards full court for the entire game. Walker Jr. has also been working on his jump shot and it showed improvement as he was more comfortable this year pulling up than he was in the past. He finishes well around the rim for being an undersized guard and he is a good passer at the point guard position. Ray Walker Jr. is one of three seniors on this Bishop Luers team but he is undoubtedly the leader of the team. He impressed with his defense and leadership last week.
- Arius Jones – 6’4” (PG) – Carroll (2018)
Arius Jones has slowly worked himself into one of the best players in the Fort Wayne area. The 6’4” point guard is one of the best passers in the area and he is also one of the best defenders. He has elite athleticism and finishes very well around the basket or above the rim. Jones has been working on his jump shot in the off-season and although it may not be the prettiest looking jump shot, he is efficient 15 feet and in. He needs to keep working on it to be able to confidently step in and knock down the long ball but he shoots a very high percentage from the free throw line which is great in close game situations. His length allows him to be an elite passer and he has great court awareness. Arius takes criticism and coaching to heart. He works on his weaknesses in the dark and comes ready to show them come game time. Jones has been fun to watch progress over the past years and his length is great on the floor.
- Noah Smith – 6’0” (PG) – Hamilton Southeastern (2019)
Noah Smith has started to make a name for himself as this season reaches the mid-way point. He played this past summer with sophomore standout Keion Brooks Jr. and it really helped him elevate his game to the next level. Smith is now the starting point guard for Hamilton Southeastern and he does more than just assist for them. Last week Noah put together a near triple-double performance and also lead his team to a Championship win over Merrillville. The sophomore guard rebounds the ball very well for his size and has exceptional court vision. His ability to throw passes in tight places and find the open man that nobody else saw it impressive. He finishes around the basket well with both hands and has shown improvement on his jump shot. He is a good free throw shooter which helps them down the line when he has the ball in his hands. Another thing that Smith does that gets him the most playing time for his team is being their best on-ball defender. Smith will start appearing on college coaches radars very soon.
- Cameron Wilbon – 6’3” (SG/SF) – Merrillville (2017)
Cameron Wilbon looked really good for Merrillville last week. He put on an offensive show in the second half of the Championship game where he shot 100% from three-point range in the second half when they needed him to be at his best. He doesn’t force shots up and doesn’t get frustrated with the pace of the game when things aren’t going his way. It’s obvious that he has a passion for the game and understands his role with this team. Wilbon didn’t look to favor his knee after injury and actually kept up well with the pace of play. Although he may have lost some of his elite athleticism in the time away from the game, it made him work on his skill set more. His ball handling, passing, and shooting have all improved within the last season. He is more of a leader now than he ever has been. He rebounds the ball well for the position and put together a nice double-double performance against Hamilton Southeastern in the Championship game. Wilbon will be a great player at the next level.